INDIANAPOLIS — The latest executive order from Indiana Gov. Mike Braun aims to eliminate government-imposed tax penalties on marriage within the state.
According to a news release from Braun’s office, this order said that the state’s tax system “disadvantages married couples in many ways” including through exemption caps that remain the same for those who file as a single adult and those who file as a married couple.
Ultimately, Braun said that the state can do more to remove tax penalties for married couples, something that he believes would encourage marriage rates in the state of Indiana.
The order directs the Indiana Department of Revenue, as well as other state agencies which administer benefits, to evaluate and identify laws or policies that disadvantage married couples.
“Marriage is the fundamental cornerstone of strong families and strong communities, and we need to make sure Indiana’s tax and benefits systems aren’t penalizing Hoosiers for getting married,” Braun said in the release. “Signed in time for Tax Day, this executive order will make sure Indiana’s policies are providing an incentive for Hoosiers to build strong families, rather than getting in the way.”
The release said that under the order, agencies are required to provide detailed reports by July 1, for tax policies, and July 1, 2026, for benefit programs, with recommended changes that remove penalties related to marriage.
This order comes after Braun has signed several executive orders in his first few months as Indiana’s governor, including orders surrounding:
- State-affiliated nonprofit organizations transparency
- Transportation
- Environment
- Indiana Department of Correction
